OC Register: Kole Calhoun home run ends long drought, helps Angels avoid home sweep

[AngelsWin.com]

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  Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jaime Barria works to a Seattle Mariners batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ David Fletcher hits a double against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Fletcher was pulled from the game with an injury on the play. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales, foreground, walks back to the mound as Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton, back right, is congratulated by third base coach Dino Ebel, back left, during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton hits a three-run home run agains the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani runs to first after hitting into a fielder choice against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton, right, is congratulated by Michael Hermosillo, left, and Shohei Ohtani, after hitting a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, hits into a fielder’s choice with Seattle Mariners catcher David Freitas watching during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Seattle Mariners shortstop Andrew Romine, left, shows the umpire the ball after tagging out Los Angeles Angels’ Jefry Marte on a steal-attempt during the second inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Seattle Mariners designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach reacts at the plate after hitting a two-RBI home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Seattle Mariners’ Dee Gordon, left, scores from first without a throw to Los Angeles Angels catcher Jose Briceno on a RBI double by Mitch Haniger during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Seattle Mariners designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach, right, gets congratulations from Kyle Seager, center, and David Freitas after hitting a two-RBI home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, right, draws a walk with Seattle Mariners catcher David Freitas watching during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun, right, is congratulated by third base coach Dino Ebel after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun, right, hits a solo home run with Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino watching during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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  Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano, top, takes in the throw to tag out Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani trying to steal second during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

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ANAHEIM – Kole Calhoun had the count in his favor, and an 0-for-28 streak working against him, when Nick Vincent pumped a 3-and-1 fastball off the outside corner in the seventh inning Sunday. The Angels’ right fielder did not like the pitch. Umpire Ryan Additon did, calling it a strike despite the dubious daylight separating the ball from the outside corner of the plate.

Perhaps primed for a pitch in the same spot, Calhoun did not make the same mistake on 3-and-2. He swatted a home run to left-center field for a home run in a tie game. That made the difference in the Angels’ 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners before the announced crowd of 35,578 at Angel Stadium.

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Calhoun’s 19th home run of the season was the ultimate blow in a game decided by home runs.

The Angels were trailing 1-0 when Justin Upton hit a three-run home run over the right-field line against Marco Gonzalez in the third inning. Upton, who hit two home runs in defeat Saturday, has four homers in his last four games.

Seattle tied the game in the very next frame. After Kyle Seager singled against Angels starter Jaime Barría, Mariners designated hitter Dan Vogelbach pummeled a first-pitch fastball into the bleachers for a two-run home run. Vogelbach was a last-minute substitute when Nelson Cruz was scratched due to illness.

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The score was still tied 3-3 when Calhoun hit his first home run since Sept. 1.

That made a winner of Angels reliever Taylor Cole (2-2), who pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Barría while striking out three batters. Ty Buttrey struck out the side in the ninth inning to pick up his third save.

Mike Trout got a rare day off. Rookie Michael Hermosillo started in center field and went 1 for 2 with a double before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter.

The Angels (74-76) avoided being swept at home in a four-game series for the first time since June, and for the first time at the Mariners’ hands since 2005.

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